OTTAWA,
ON, July 5, 2024 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister,
Justin Trudeau, today announced that Anthony Housefather,
Member of Parliament for Mount
Royal, has been named Special Advisor on Jewish Community
Relations and Antisemitism.
In recent months, we've seen a disturbing rise in antisemitism
across the world, including right here in Canada. This must not continue. Whether it's
at a synagogue or a Jewish business or school; whether it's wearing
the Star of David or a Kippah – Jewish Canadians deserve to feel
safe, supported, and welcomed. They deserve to live openly and
proudly Jewish lives, without intimidation or fear. Too often in
recent months, Canadians have been threatened, harassed, and
excluded because of their faith, their identity, or because they
support the Jewish people's right to self-determination. That is
unacceptable and must stop.
Mr. Housefather's role will be to advise the Prime Minister and
ministers on the development and co-ordination of the Government of
Canada's work to combat
antisemitism and ensure Jewish Canadians are able to live with
vibrancy, security, and dignity. This will include working with
Jewish Canadians from across the country. Mr. Housefather will
help advance actions throughout the federal government to combat
antisemitism, enhance the protection of Jewish Canadian
communities, and address the unacceptable discrimination against
them – both historical and current. In this role,
Mr. Housefather will work closely with Jewish communities and
relevant stakeholders across the country and Canada's Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust
Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism, Deborah Lyons.
Mr. Housefather has been an elected official for 30 years. He
served as a municipal councillor from 1994 to 2005 and as Mayor of
Côte-Saint-Luc, in Montréal, from
2005 to 2015. As a former Chair of the House of Commons Standing
Committee on Justice and Human Rights and a steadfast advocate for
Jewish Canadians, Mr. Housefather has advanced efforts to tackle
antisemitism, hate, and bigotry in Canada. As Co-Chair of the Inter-Parliamentary
Task Force to Combat Online Antisemitism, he has also helped tackle
antisemitism around the world, including in online spaces – working
with international parliamentarians, the world's leading social
media platforms, ambassadors, and special envoys. His breadth of
experience advocating for Jewish communities at home and abroad
will bring value to this role.
Antisemitism is not a problem for the Jewish community to solve
alone. We will continue to take action – across government – to
make Canada safer, more inclusive,
and better for everyone.
Quotes
"We stand with Jewish Canadians – today and every day. And we
will do whatever it takes to fight antisemitism and hate, which is
unfortunately too prevalent in our communities. With Mr.
Housefather's appointment, we're continuing to make sure Jewish
Canadians' voices are heard, protecting Jewish Canadian
communities, and making Canada
more inclusive for everyone."
— The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau,
Prime Minister of Canada
"There has been no time in my lifetime when Jewish Canadians
have felt as threatened as they do today. While we cannot make
antisemitism disappear, all levels of government, universities, and
police can take concrete steps to make Jewish Canadians feel safer
in this country. I am grateful to the Prime Minister for putting me
in a position where I can work with Deborah
Lyons to help translate words to action."
— Anthony Housefather, Special Advisor on Jewish Community
Relations and Antisemitism
Quick Fact
- Mr. Housefather will undertake his new responsibilities
while continuing his role as Parliamentary Secretary to the
President of the Treasury Board.
This document is also available at https://pm.gc.ca
SOURCE Prime Minister's Office